Taking a gap year

Taking a gap year when you're no longer a student can be a daunting prospect. So who is doing it, and why?

People on gap years fall into four main areas:

• People aged around 18, who are taking time out between school (or college) and university
• People aged around 21, who are taking a gap year after university and before they start a job
• People aged 25 to retirement age, who take a gap year during their career - we call them career breakers
• People at and over retirement age, who take a gap year once they've finished with both education and work

Many people take a gap year when they're older simply because they never got a chance when they were younger. This is especially true for the over-50s - gap years simply didn't exist when they were at school or university. Some older gappers are further tempted when they see their children (or grandchildren) setting off on their gap year and saying 'Me too!'

Taking a gap year when you're over 25 is easier now than it's ever been. More and more employers are warming to the idea of career breaks, and including them in their benefits package. Retirees are more active than ever before, and thanks to the housing market, affluent enough to be able to take the kinds of trips that would have been out of reach not that long ago.

Career break and gap year companies have recognised this and are welcoming the older gap year market with open arms. Many now accommodate partners and/or children. Some have upped their maximum age limit (and some don't even have one!). These older gappers have experience, skills and wisdom that are particularly beneficial to volunteer projects.

So what are the downsides of taking a gap year when you're no longer a student? Thankfully, these days, they are few. Obviously there is more to organise when you're older (particularly if you are mid-career). Older gappers have a tendency to be less flexible than their 18-year-old counterparts and often find they need a greater level of comfort than the average student. On the plus side, volunteer placement companies report a greater dedication to their projects from the older gappers - particularly retirees.

Hundreds of thousands of people are proving that career, a mortgage, children or age are no longer barriers to taking a gap year. And if they are doing it, why aren't you?

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